Finally, a place for me to post & contribute to this board!
I don't own a P-car . . . yet. I am hoping I will contract one by browsing this board every day
I have an '01 330i w/ manual tranmission, sport package, premium package, heated seats, zenon headlights.
I did not option this car, I purchased it in 2003 as a CPO car. My requirements were manual transmission, sport package and cold weather package. I got most of that (cold weather has the ski-pass through and headlight washer, both of them I have managed without).
I personally don't find the sport package too harsh at all, although I do try to drive around potholes, etc. My guess is that if you own a P-car - you are doing that anyway. As another point of reference, I drove some pre-owned Volvo wagons when shopping for the family truckster. I found those cars to ride more harshly than my sport-package 330i.
I can't talk to the automatics. Sorry.
My favorite "luxuries": rain sensing wipers and stability control. The RWD "i", with snow tires and stability control is simply amazing in the snow - very confidence inspiring.
I have been very happy, and have had few problems that were not related to being rear-ended
The only common problem I know of on this car are the front lower control arms - which are replaceable under warranty, and I am told the replacements are stronger - we'll see . . .
I am a big fan of the 330 over the 325 - two different cars in my opinion
The previous body style was the "e46" and was produced from 1999 - 2003. I think 2001 was the first year for the 330 / 325. Prior to that, they had the 328 / 323.
You should know that spring / early summer (June?) of 2001 the steering feel was changed on these cars. e46's prior to this build date have very "light-feeling" steering. BMW was retro-fitting the earlier cars on thier buck - I am not sure if they still are. (mine was built in July - hurray!).
I believe in the summer of 2003 they switched over from the 5 speed gearbox to the 6 speed. Shortly thereafter (fall?), the ZHP "onewhippedpuppy" referrs to was introduced. I think the ZHP may only be available on manual cars though.
The only other consideration that comes to mind is that if you are dying to have things like BMW satellite radio, bluetooth, or BMW iPod integration, I think you need to start looking towards at least 2002 or 2003 model years.
Well - that is some info I suppse. If you have other specific questions, I'll try to answer.
Good luck,
Matt